Champions League Trophy Tour returns to Asia

The 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken was launched today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and marked the start of an exciting lineup of events for football fans in Asia ahead of the UEFA Champions League final in May.

The trophy tour was launched with an official handover of the famous silverware by UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour ambassador, and former England international, Graeme Le Saux to Heineken ambassador Marcel Desailly. From Switzerland, the trophy will travel to Kuala Lumpur in February, then pass through the cities of Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Seoul in March, before landing in Hong Kong in mid-April.

Returning to Asia for the first time since the inaugural trophy tour of 2007, the 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken has the following schedule:

• 22–27 February – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
• 5–6 March – Penang (Malaysia)
• 11–12 March – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
• 16–17 March – Bangkok (Thailand)
• 19–20 March – Chiang Mai (Thailand)
• 25–27 March – Khon Kaen (Thailand)
• 6–9 April – Seoul (Korea Republic)
• 15–17 April – Hong Kong (China)

The trophy tour has previously visited North America in 2010, Africa in 2009, Latin America in 2008 and Asia in 2007.

During the tour, UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour ambassadors, including internationally renowned former players such as Christian Karembeu, Steve McManaman, Gianfranco Zola, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Jay-Jay Okocha, will attend events and meet the media and local supporters.

Fans in each country will have the opportunity to take photos with the famous trophy, see historical UEFA Champions League memorabilia and win tickets to the UEFA Champions League final in London on 28 May.

David Taylor, CEO of UEFA Events SA, said: "The UEFA Champions League has a long and distinguished heritage and is the pinnacle of European club football. The trophy tour really demonstrates the true global reach and appeal of the UEFA Champions League. We are delighted that together with Heineken we can reward the passion and dedication of football fans in Asia by taking the trophy to them once again."

Hans Erik Tuijt, Heineken's brand activation manager, commented: "This is the sixth consecutive year that Heineken, the world's most international beer brand, has sponsored the prestigious UEFA Champions League. For Heineken, to be able to bring the excitement and inspiration of the UEFA Champions League Trophy directly to the fingertips of fans in Asia is extremely rewarding. Heineken provides fans with extraordinary experiences, which will continue to entertain and amaze as we get closer to the UEFA Champions League final in London."